Work experience kids messed with manager's PC to send him to Ctrl-Alt-Del hell
The Register
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A group of tech-savvy students pulled off a clever prank at a company where they were working as unpaid interns on the helpdesk. They noticed the helpdesk manager often left his PC logged in, ignoring company policy, which made it easy for them to access his desktop. The students took a screenshot of his desktop and set it as a screensaver, making it appear as if the PC was locked with Ctrl-Alt-Del. This caused confusion and frustration for the manager, who eventually demanded the machine be re-imaged after experiencing frequent lock-ups and mouse issues.
Curt, an IT security manager at the time, had been aware of the prank and even promised to cover for the students if things went wrong. When the manager complained about the issue, Curt suggested he try pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del to unlock his PC, leading to a tense exchange. The manager left in anger but later admitted the prank was funny and appreciated the humor despite the inconvenience. Meanwhile, the students revealed their inspiration: an engineer who had hidden illicit activities behind a fake desktop wallpaper.
This story highlights the potential risks of poor login habits and the importance of enforcing security policies, even among unpaid interns. It also underscores how small lapses in judgment can lead to amusing but costly pranks, emphasizing the need for stronger oversight and training in IT environments. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tech mishaps and the value of fostering a culture of accountability and humor in the workplace.
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Originally published on The Register on 2/23/2026